Administrative Services

Refund and Credit Policy

The following has been established as policy to provide for students due a refund or credit from the University:

For Dropped Classes

Students enrolled in any combination of sessions, either on-campus and/or off-campus, must drop from the desired class within that session's 100 percent refund/credit period to avoid assessment of tuition and mandatory fee charges. Students will be assessed full tuition and fees in accordance with the University's tuition and fee schedule for classes dropped after the 100 percent refund/credit period.

For Total University Withdrawl

Regular Scheduled Classes

Regular scheduled classes are classes that meet at least once a week during the regular scheduled Fall/Spring Semester or Summer Session.

Fall and Spring Semesters

A student who has registered and then officially and totally withdraws from Western Illinois University in accordance with established University procedures on or before the tenth class day of the semester shall receive refund/credit for all tuition, mandatory fees and pro-rated credit for room and board charges.

A student who officially and totally withdraws after the tenth class day of the semester shall be entitled to a refund/credit of tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board charges as follows:

A student who has registered and then officially and totally withdraws from Western Illinois University in accordance with established University procedures on or before the sixth class day of the session shall be entitled to a 100 percent refund/credit of tuition, and mandatory fees, and pro-rated room and board charges.

A student who officially and totally withdraws after the sixth class day of the session and before 60% of the length of the course shall be entitled to a refund/credit of tuition, mandatory fees, room and board charges as follows:

Irregular scheduled classes are classes that do not meet the regular scheduled class definition.

A student who has registered and officially and totally withdraws from Western Illinois University before 60% of the length of the course in accordance with established procedures shall be entitled to a refund/credit of tuition and mandatory fees as follows:

A student who has registered for an irregular scheduled class that is not covered by the refund/credit percentages listed above shall be entitled to a 100 percent refund/credit of tuition and mandatory fees as follows:

Independent Study Courses Offered Through the School of Extended Studies

A student who has registered for an independent study course offered through the School of Extended Studies and officially withdraws from the course during the first six weeks of the term will receive a full refund/credit. A student who processes a withdrawal after the sixth week will be responsible for 100% of the tuition assessed. However, if the regular scheduled class withdrawal refund/credit period for a given semester extends beyond the six weeks 100% refund/credit period, the dates and percentages listed after the six week period will be honored.

For an Extreme Hardship

Western Illinois University will refund/credit tuition and fees should a student provide evidence of hardship that is caused by someone other than the student. Notification must be before the end of the current semester. Verification will be done based upon criteria such as death of close family member, divorce of parents or student, loss of employment, etc.

For a Student Death

Upon knowledge of the death of a student, ALL charges for the current term will be reversed for that student. Any payments made from personal, private, federal, or state funds will be returned to the originating source. Refunds of Federal funds will be in accordance with Regulations. In the case of personal funds, the refund will be made to the parents, spouse, or estate of the deceased student. Those departments/areas extending service to the student will stand the loss from operations.

For students who left the University owing money and subsequently died, only the unpaid charges will be reversed. No partial payments will be refunded.

It will be the responsibility of the Registrar's Office to take the appropriate action to initiate the adjustment of the student/s account, once notification of the death has been received by that office. Any University official receiving valid information on the death of a student (former or present) should notify the Director of Student Development and Orientation, who shall be responsible for notifying other offices and initiating various other contacts as appropriate under the circumstances, e.g., faculty, family, etc.

For an Institutional Error

Western Illinois University will refund/credit tuition and fees if evidence indicates that an error has been made in the registration/timely withdrawal of a student. Verification will be done by Business Office staff based on information such as failure to process withdrawal, publication of erroneous information, improper advising, etc.

When it is in the Best Interest of the University

Western Illinois University will refund/credit tuition and fees provided the President has determined that such a refund/credit is in the best interest of the university.